The Life of Benjamin Harrison Fages
“I am Benji Fages, and I am a proud Aleph.” That line speaks volumes about my identity.
Look back to only the summer following grade 10, and I did not know what being an Aleph
felt like, let alone what it meant.
Each and every Aleph is special. We all have different hobbies, religious denominations,
connections to Judaism, hometowns, and priorities for our years in BBYO. I too am different.
My path to BBYO and relationship to the Order are quite unique.
I grew up hearing about ILTC and Kallah coming from a legacy of past Alephs and B’nai Brith
Girls. My first real exposure to BBYO came on the bus ride from PANIM to ILTC. My family
had neglected to mention that ILTC had any relation to BBYO and already I was being
swamped by acronyms. Nonetheless, amongst the hysteria of confusion and making sense of
what the other kids were saying, I was comforted by the focus of the two programs:
“International Leadership Training” and “Jewish Identity Connection”. This program duo
was a natural fit in my life where my leadership and Judaism were called upon so often.
Who was I kidding? Less than 72 hours after arriving to Perlman I was devastated. While I
found refuge and enjoyment in the Leadership 101 courses and morning minyan, they were
not cutting it. I arrived with no friends, I did not share a summer of CLTC with the other kids
there, and I was extremely frustrated as I was forced to blueprint a plan for a hypothetical
chapter; I did not even know what was the purpose of a chapter nor that I was in one.
Luckily, something peculiar happened as others became more acquainted with my situation.
Extraordinary people, staff and peers alike who cared about me and this community, moved
mountains to make me feel welcomed. This is how one of the most nonsensical and
displeasing weeks of my life transformed into one of the most meaningful, inspiring, and
defining summers. I noticed two common traits in all these people that made me realize why
BBYO is so powerful and why it is for me. These people were nice and happy. Soon it
became apparent that these adjectives were not rare in BBYO.
From then on, this would be my home, I would work to understand what BBYO is all about,
and while doing so, I just knew that “I am a proud Aleph”, and I would continue to strive to
radiate nice and happy to all.
I would soon find out the sheer awesomeness of the Order. The developmental
opportunities it presented and the avenue to promote my passions were first-rate. I have
been fortunate to have Jewish friends and a Jewish base that extends from my school, my
neighbourhood, and my sports teams. For the first time, I had the chance to write divrei
Torah and spread my love of Judaism with meaningful and relatable lessons to people with
differing beliefs and those that may not have been exposed to the same teachings. On top
of this, my entire perspective on Jewish peoplehood was shaped with the creation of the
Coalition of Jewish Teens.
Skip forward some more and I find myself in the whirlwind of excitement of my first
International Convention. After a weekend of eye-opening presentations, leading prayers,
and insightful conversations, I am elected Grand Aleph Shaliach and am entrusted with the
forum to broadcast and advocate for my values and passions alongside the Grand and
International Board. During my term, I reaffirmed my beliefs and have met hundreds of new
Alephs and B’nai Brith Girls, adding to my list of reasons to dedicate hours of each day to
plan for the next convention, educate others on Israel, promote social responsibility, and
echo why Judaism must be an integral aspect of every Jewish teens’ life.
The learning and growth experiences of planning programs and services, speaking formally
on a stage at International Convention, chatting casually with a counterpart from across the
continent, and attending a conference of the awe-inducing magnitude of AIPAC Policy
Conference, can all be attributed to BBYO. The opportunity to be mentored by brilliant
visionaries and friends and then reciprocate this admirable deed to others can all be
attributed to BBYO. The network of friends from across the globe can all be attributed to
BBYO.
BBYO has made me stronger. BBYO has made me smarter. BBYO has made me happier.
BBYO has made me more aware of the world around me. BBYO has increased my Jewish
pride. BBYO has made me a more responsible Zionist. BBYO has made me feel at home.
When I suggested at board retreat in the middle of May 2012 that the year’s theme should
be “From The Roots We Build”, I did not realize the extent that my BBYO experience truly
was built from the roots.
It was never imperative for a kid from DC to welcome me to sit with him at lunch or introduce
me to people at ILTC, nor was it mandatory for a kid from Texas to let me hang out until I
adjusted, and it was not in the job description to have a conversation about what I wanted
from my summer and BBYO experience. Despite the inconvenience to them, they did it to
be nice, to make me happy, to make we want to be an Aleph, but more importantly, to make
the life of a Jewish teen better.
This is what I dedicated some of my junior and senior years to: to the values I believe in,
making others happy, and to the future of Jewish people. All I hope is that I have been even
half as successful in achieving those goals as those before me and those around me. I dream
that BBYO will continue advocating for a strong, happy, and socially responsible Jewish
future.
My roots will forever run deep in this international order that we are a part of. The Order that
reminds us all to lend a caring ear to someone or to a cause even if you are miles away. An
Order that reminds us to let down our shields and explode in happiness reconnecting with
someone you have not spoken with all year. An Order that serves as a network of automatic
friends that you will forever trust and know are there for you. It is not just the Jewish people,
its BBYO. It is the home for the happy and the nice – and it is home for me.
This is not your classic Aleph journey that begins in the chapter, but I can guarantee you that
I am as proud an Aleph as they come.
Fraternally submitted with undying love for the always welcoming and kind Exodus AZA
#1111, Lake Ontario Region, the 88th International Board, the Grand Order of the Aleph
Tzadik Aleph, and the future of the Jewish people.
I will forever remain,
Aleph Benjamin Harrison Fages
A Lifetime Member of BBYO
Dedications
To those who welcomed me at the beginning of Perlman.
Brandon Myers, Sam Rubin, Ben Deschner, Mikah Stein, Ian Kandel, Alex Bolotovsky. You helped me find a
world of friends, opportunity, and smiles.
To those who have welcomed me since.
You make the experience fun, always are a spark of encouragement, and have created lasting memories.
To those whom have guided me to serve the causes I care about.
The impact of the lessons and opportunities you have given will resonate forever.
To those whom I have shared meaningful conversations.
Regardless who, where, and when, the growth and thought from each conversation has influenced me.
To Lake Ontario Region.
You are the epicenter of happiness and the role model of a welcoming home for any teen.
To those who have been a partner in a project.
Counterparts and Committees – Sh’lichim, Judaic Enrichment, Speak UP.
Coalition of Jewish Teens – Mattison Asher and Iris Levine – To my co-founders, our combined vision affirmed
that teens can be movers and shakers.
88 – Logan Miller, Ryan Ladd, Alex Finkelstein, Nick Phillips - Inseparable when together, late night seal
giggles, bro talks, and life talks, and hundreds of dedicated hours of work have made this year so memorable
and sensational.
68 – Sarah Minion, Hilit Jacobson, Michaela Brown, Emily Gorby – You are all kind souls, great innovators, and
amazing friends.
Gary Levine – The depth and quality of our recent friendship along with the work I have witnessed you
produce indicates that you will continue to be incredible next year.
Andie Djamal – Happy. Kind. Proficient worker. Excellent friend. The order needs more Anji’s. An amazing
partner on all projects and asset helping me reach my potential. You are a clear reason for the success of all
of our campaigns and endeavors this year. Thanks for everything.
To my parents.
Thank you for providing me with the motivation, support, and means to pursue a passion. Every child needs a
thing. Enabling me to make sure others can find theirs and for me to have many is a blessing.
To those pursuing their passions.
This is what the world needs. It builds character and nothing is more satisfying than making a difference.
To those who are improving the future of the Jewish people.
The Jewish world needs us. We are the leaders. We must be responsible for a prosperous Jewish future.
To all who are happy and nice.
You make the world a better place. Keep being an inspiration and source of comfort to all.